Loaded and usually in one of the side pouches of my T-Bag. Sometimes I carry one in the pistol pocket of my leather jacket. I carry a .45 ACP and the wife carries a .38 snub nose. Cops shouldn't be a problem if you have a CCW license. They're nice to have in case some low lifes take a liking to your wife or bike when you have a flat or other problemsout in the boondocks. Bears and lions can still be a problem in certain areas of the country too.

 

I got a couple of Dry Bags and rolled my stuff inside them, then stapped them to the passenger rest. I have a Road King by the way. The dry bags work great in case the weather turns bad.....

 

Thanks, Steve. Those dry bags are the way we're gonna go, I think. Just trying to get out and find some in the stores here. I want the kind that you can load up, then roll the air out and has a one-way valve that doesn't let any air back in. Keeps things small for packing.

 

you have received some excellent advice above about packing the heavy stuff low. you really don't need as much as you think. since it will be oct in arkansas, it will be fairly cool. you will be wearing your most bulky piece of equipment - your jacket. wind breaker type stuff takes up very little space. another thing to reduce space is pack things like (gold bond) power in a little medicine bottle. motels, have hair dryers, shampoo, etc.. but do carry some spray cleaner to wipt the bugs off your windshield and helmet shield.

all you really need is one pair of underwear and socks per day (maybe bring a spare), toothbrush, toothpaste, deoeorant. if your riding boots are not too uncomfortablefor general use, you don'tneed extra shoes (very bulky).
of course, camera, maps, etc.. you canwearthe same jeans and shirt for a couple days since it will not be that hot.

as to where to store, as stated by others, packthe heavy stuff as low as possible - saddlebags (if you got em). we use one of those airline bags with the little wheels on them. just strap (securely) to the sissy bar / luggage rack. also use a tank bag (expandable). you can get a lot of stuff in there. that is a good place to put the things you need frequently through out the day (ie: maps, camera, comb / hair brush, advil, sunglasses, ear plugs, etc..). then also a small windshield bag for other misc stuff.

oh yea, one of the most important things is a tire repair kit and portable pump, tire guage, and a few basic tools. hopefully you wont need it. be sure you have a HOG memebership or AAAfor worst case scenario. the wife and i just took a one week trip and that did it for us. this assumes you are staying in motels and will not be camping out. i only camp out if i am not carrying a passenger / wife. the tent and sleeping bag take the place of the passenger. when traveling solo, you have a lot more space for things since only carrying 1/2 clothes, etc.. plus some / most motels have laundry facilities but you probably wont need them for a 4 day trip.

gw

 

Thanks, Gary. Your advice seems to fall into line along with everyone elses. I actually hadn't thought of tire repair. Any suggestions for tires with tubes. Does that fix-a-flat work in an inner-tube? or should I get some of that green slime stuff? or something else altogether?

I hate bugging everyone about this, but I figured I'd better ask the experts.

 

I opted for the HOG membership instead of toting a tire pump and repair kit. Not too sure where I could have squeezed thatin...lol I did bring a gauge in my tool kit tho.

 

Got the HOG membership and AAA RV, so I should be set..... I s'pose.

 

Why indeed?
And why in the world would anyone carry in a bag where you can't get to it in time?

Loaded, in a holster, on my hip.

 

My best tip: I wear junky old clothes and throw out my dirty ones. That frees up space as I go and stops the need to do laundry. I inevitably have to stop and add to what I'm carrying so that helps to keep the load down.

I'm riding3000 miles round-tripto Sturgis, and I'll come home lighter than when I left. If I buy a bunch of souvenir stuffI'll ship it home.

 

It's funny you mention that, we had some souvenier stuff that we brought home from Bikes, Blues& BBQ in Fayetteville last year. The one thing that I couldn't figure out what to do with, was the free poster that you got with your registration. I thought about it for a little bit, but ended up rolling it up and sticking it across my handlebars between the bars and my windshield. The clutch cable kept pressure on it so I only had to adjust it a couple of times on the way home. In retrospect, that was kind of a dumb souvenier to give out to a bunch of bikers that don't have room on their bikes for a poster....

Oh well, we had fun for sure.